Beneath the Horizon's Glow

Chapter!

In a room that seemed to exist outside the bounds of time, voices drifted like fleeting whispers, fading into echoes as they bounced off the invisible walls of a four-dimensional space. It was a place where everyone was wrapped up in their own world, consumed by their own thoughts, each person trapped in their bubble of busyness. Conversations collided but never truly connected. Words got lost in the expanse, unheard, like ripples in a vast ocean, swallowed by the void.

Yet, amidst this constant hum of activity, there is Aria. A girl who is completely still, her gaze fixed on something far beyond the window—somewhere deeper than the world around her. Her eyes, distant and lost, seemed to drift into the horizon, as if she were searching for something that only she could understand. Her mind wandered in places no one else could follow, as if her thoughts had sunk to the very depths of the sea, where the surface chaos couldn't reach her.

Lost in the depth of her thoughts, she didn't notice someone approaching her. It wasn't until a voice broke through her reverie that she was jolted with shock.

"Are you okay, Aria? You seem lost in your thoughts," her classmate asked, observing her carefully.

"I-I'm okay. I just didn't hear you coming," she replied, straightening up in her seat.

She glanced at the clock and felt a slight sense of disappointment when she saw that it was only three in the afternoon. She had been wanting to go home for a while now, as it felt like she had been growing tired so quickly these past few days, even though she hadn't been doing anything in particular that would explain her sudden fatigue. Despite her boredom, she also felt a pang of hunger creeping in.

"I suddenly got hungry. Want to grab something?" she asked, already standing before her classmate could respond.

"Yeah, sure! I'm craving something sweet," her classmate said, quickly following her out of the classroom.

The hallway was unusually quiet, with most classes in session and every door was closed. As they walked, Aria's classmate couldn't help but ask with concern, "How have you been feeling? Have you been okay these past few days?"

"You have nothing to worry about. It's just... it feels like there's something I should know—something that was once a part of me, but I just can't seem to find the missing piece," she said uncertainly, her voice laced with hesitation.

"Sometimes, it's alright not to remember. Maybe there's a reason—perhaps it's meant to protect you from something you're not ready to face yet."

She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, her voice laced with uncertainty. "You think so?" she asked, as if doubting but desperately hoping it was true.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! Let's keep up the pace and grab something!" she said with a cheerful grin.

She glanced at her, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Why do you hang out with me, knowing who I am? Everyone else just stays away once they get to know me."

She gave a nervous chuckle. "You're not going to kill me or dump me in the middle of the road, right?" she asked, half-joking but not entirely sure.

She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Why would I do that? Do I look like a killer to you?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Her classmate laughed at her response, finding it amusing. She couldn't help but think that Aria was such a pure soul, making her wonder why anyone would try to avoid her when she had done nothing wrong. Aria was just a normal girl who minded her own business—someone anyone would naturally like. She came from a wealthy family, was intelligent and adventurous, kind and sweet. But despite all that, her classmate realized she wasn't entirely sure if she truly knew Aria. After all, Aria never talked about herself or her family.

As soon as they arrived at the cafeteria, they headed straight to the food counter to get their meals. A variety of dishes were displayed, but Aria only took an egg sandwich and a lemon juice before handing her card to the cashier. Meanwhile, her classmate grabbed an assortment of sweet treats.

Aria wasn't good at remembering names, which was why she often forgot the names of her classmates. She was overly cautious, as if she didn't want people to truly know her. Because of this, others started to see her in a negative light.

They settled in the middle of the cafeteria, a spot where they were easily noticeable. Aria had no idea that most eyes were on her—some fascinated by the life she lived, while others watched with quiet envy.

Then, from a distance, a voice called out to them. It was unfamiliar, prompting her to turn her head toward the source.

"Hey guys!"

"That's Vena," her classmate said, biting into the donut. "She's probably here because she doesn't have a class right now."

"She's your childhood friend, right? She hangs out with us whenever she has free time," Aria said before taking a sip of her lemon juice.

"You remembered!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.

"Farah, I'm just bad at remembering names, not faces. Of course, I remember her. Who wouldn't? She's just as noisy as you," she said with a teasing smirk.

Farah pouted slightly at Aria's remark but quickly shifted expressions when Vena finally reached their table. She wore a wide grin, carrying a wooden basket in her hands.

Curious, Farah raised an eyebrow. "What's that you're carrying?" she asked.

Vena lifted the basket with a playful smile before setting it down on the table and opening it. "It's snacks! I made these just for you guys!" she said cheerfully, taking a seat across from Aria.

"Wow! That's so thoughtful of you!" Farah exclaimed, eyes lighting up with excitement. "If only you had come earlier, I wouldn't have bought anything!" she added, quickly reaching for the snacks inside the basket with an eager grin.

Vena chuckled at Farah's remark before turning to both of them. "Do you guys have any plans after class?" she asked. "I was thinking of inviting you to a party at our house."

Farah raised an eyebrow. "What kind of party?" she asked curiously.

Vena smiled. "Oh, just a small gathering for some investors in our new business," she explained.

Farah frowned slightly. "Then why are you inviting us?"

Vena laughed. "Because I just want to spend time with you two!" she said playfully.

Shifting her attention to Aria, she leaned in slightly. "So, what do you say? Are you coming?"

"I'll pass. I'm not really in the mood for a party," Aria said calmly.

"That's sad," Vena said with a pout, disappointment evident in her voice. She then turned to Farah, her tone quickly shifting to excitement. "What about you, Farah? There will be lots of sweets waiting for you!"

"You don't even have to ask that, of course I'm in!" Farah said eagerly, her eyes lighting up at the thought of sweets.

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Aria swiftly grabbed her bag and headed out of the classroom. Seeing her leave, Farah quickly followed behind.

"Did you bring a car?" Farah asked as she caught up.

Aria shook her head. "No, our driver will be picking me up," she replied.

Farah nodded at her response, and the two walked together toward the waiting area. Aria's ride arrived first, and she turned to Farah with a small smile. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said before getting into the car.

Farah watched as the vehicle pulled away, her eyes lingering as it disappeared through the school gates. No matter how much time passed, Aria remained a mystery to her. They had been classmates since Senior High, yet it was only now, in college, that she finally got the chance to be close to her. And still, she felt like there was so much more to Aria than what she let on.